Does the Bible say; Come as you are?
Many times, we overhear people say, “come as you are.” During one Wednesday night Bible Study we were discussing Romans16:17-18. I shared how the Lord opened my understanding of Deuteronomy 22:5 which states; "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are an abomination unto the Lord thy God." I received the Holy Spirit under the teachings of the Pentecost Church. And some of their beliefs are not in one accord with the Word of God. The Ministers and Pastors love and serve the Lord wholeheartedly. But whenever I note teaching in error; I research for myself. And in undertaking this, God uncovered my eyes to the true essence of this scripture. He used the word pertaining; to make it clear and precise. Now, I wear pants with direct knowledge of what Christ means. And a few attending references this saying as from the Bible. But you won’t find this phrase in the Bible. Though there are several scriptures with such an implication, we must acquire a sound understanding of what this implies. And when used in its exact form, it describes God’s grace.
In Matthew 11:28, the scriptures say; “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. God offers you to come; go in His direction where you’ll find rest for the soul. It’s a call to sync your heart with His. Again, in Isaiah 1:18; God offers this invitation; Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord. “[Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be like wool.
Christ issues another extended invitation in Revelation 22:17; "The [Holy] Spirit and the bride (the church, believers) say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take and drink the water of life without cost. “
In Joel 2:32; God warns of a coming judgment and urges the people to come. And it shall come about that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved [from the coming judgment] For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem There will be those who escape, As the Lord has said, Even among the remnant [of survivors] whom the Lord calls. God desires everyone to come as they are because He wants to purify our hearts and deliver us. Jesus will do a new thing in us. When we accept Him as our Savior, He cleanses us. The Lord accepts each person as we are, but He expects us not to stay in sin.
Some teach God won’t accept people unless they change. Though they mean well, we see from scriptures the Lord addresses the sin and offers grace. Christ isn’t asking us to clean our lives before receiving Him as our Savior. If we could achieve this on our own, there would be no need for salvation. Therefore, God sacrificed His Son, Jesus. (John 3:16). Even when the scribes and Pharisees brought unto Him a woman caught in adultery, He told her to go and sin no more. (John 8:1-11). He deals with their intents and offers forgiveness to the woman. However, when they persisted in questioning Him, He straightened up and said, “He who is without [any] sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” (Vs. 7). The Lord never excused or overlooked the sin. With compassion and grace, Jesus offers all an opportunity to repent, confess and forsake their sins.
Many use this phrase to remain as they are. They rationalize and say it makes no difference how they live. God expects us to leave our former life. He wants to use our new life in Him to bring Him glory. For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [live as those who are native-born to the Light]. (Ephesians 5:8). We should never give the impression to anyone that it is in the Lord’s will to continue living in rebellion to the Word of God. This contradicts what the Bible instructs. "For the time already past is [more than] enough for doing what the [unsaved] Gentiles like to do—living [unrestrained as you have done] in a course of [shameless] sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries. 4 In [connection with] all this, they [the unbelievers] are resentful and surprised that you do not [think like them, value their values and] run [hand in hand] with them into the same excesses of dissipation and immoral freedom, and they criticize and abuse and ridicule you and make fun of your values." (1 Peter 4:3-4). Even Galatians 5:13; warns us not to use freedom from sin as an occasion to satisfy the flesh. For you, my brothers were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through love serve and seek the best for one another.
The beauty of salvation is it causes a transformation of each person. And He offers it to everyone without any prerequisite than to come as we are. Jesus Christ died for us while we were sinners. (Romans 5:8). He receives us, then began the process helping everybody to live out this life by changing us into whom the Lord created us to be. After an encounter with God, you won’t stay as you are because God works in the true believer as you submit and obey Him.
Someone says; “God accepts me as I am. What scripture would you use to explain to anyone that God doesn’t want us to stay as we are without offending them?
Why is it important to correct someone who uses phrases as ‘come as you are’ out of context?
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